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PaulWest
Member



Joined: 2006/6/28
Posts: 3405
Dallas, Texas

 Memorizing Entire Bible Chapters

Dear Saints, the Lord has recently lead me to begin memorizing entire chapters of the Bible to enhance my knowledge of scripture and make the ingrafting of the Word more profound and accesible for daily meditation. Since I have begun this, I have noticed my mind to be much more scripture-inclined than it has ever been in my walk. I find myself pondering scripture throughout the day, turning and tasting the verses in my mind, weighing each word meticulously, discovering deeper insights hitherto unexperienced in my walk with Jesus Christ. I would like to know if anyone else on SI is committing Bible chapters to memory. I thought I would post a short article on this topic I found while browsing on the internet today.

May God bless us all in a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ.

"After memorizing several individual verses in the Bible, I encourage you to go on and memorize longer passages, such as chapters and even entire books of the Bible. I found that memorizing long passages was not as difficult as I thought that it would be. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised to find many unexpected benefits of doing so. Here are some benefits of memorizing books of the Bible in their entirety:



1. Greater knowledge of the context of the verses in the book. This is important in understanding the Scriptures. Sometimes greater knowledge of the context will yield new insight into a verse that was not apparent from memorizing the verse by itself. Sometimes greater knowledge of the context will refute meaning that has been attributed to a verse that it never, in context, had.



2. Aids greatly in teaching a book. Memorizing a book gives one a familiarity, intimacy and understanding of it that no commentary can give. If you teach the Word, I encourage you to memorize each passage that you teach before you teach it. You will be amazed to discover the insight you get from memorization.



3. Joy in being able to recite and meditate on the book anywhere you may be and at anytime.



4. Extensive knowledge of where passages are in the books you have memorized. After you have memorized books of the Bible, you retain a knowledge of everything the book says, even if you do not retain the word-perfect memorization of the book.



5. Increased insight and understanding concerning the tone of the book and the mood of its writer. For instance, from memorizing it, I found the book of Romans to be a very confident, assertive book, strongly putting forth doctrine. On the other hand, I found the book of Philippians to be a tender book, often alluding to the possible death of its writer. In a sense, memorizing a book is like getting into the mind of the writer.



6. Knowledge of passages not normally memorized or cited. I have often received unexpected insight into passages that were unknown to me by memorizing them as part of a longer passage.



While one may reap many benefits from memorizing long passages of Scripture, there are some difficult requirements in order to be successful at it. First, to memorize an entire book of the Bible requires a large amount of work. Therefore, one must have a desire and commitment to be successful at memorizing. In addition, to be successful requires a great amount of concentration, which, in turn, requires a quiet room with no distractions. Moreover, the memorization of long passages requires a great amount of time: time to memorize and time to practice memorized passages.

Now I will gives some techniques that I have found helpful in memorizing long passages. In the last issue, I stated that I found that the set of spiral-bound 3-by-5 cards was an important tool in memorizing verses. I have found spiral-bound 3-by-5 cards indispensible in memorizing long passages, as well. To prepare to memorize, I write out a chapter of the book that I am memorizing on 3-by-5 cards. An average-size chapter can fit on approximately five cards (obviously, some take more, some less). I then proceed to memorize one card at a time, verse by verse. When I can recite the contents of a card from memory, I go on to the next card. When I begin memorizing the next card, I will often memorize the first verse of the new card along with the last verse of the previous card. This establishes a connection in my mind between the two cards. I continue memorizing cards until I have memorized an entire chapter. Once I have memorized all of the cards in the chapter, I practice reciting the chapter in its entirety. Often, by the time I have memorized the last card in the chapter, I no longer can recite the first card perfectly. Thus, I do any necessary rememorization until I can recite the whole chapter in its entirety. Once the entire chapter is memorized, I am "free" from the cards for that chapter and can practice the entire chapter anywhere and anytime.

As I memorize and practice the chapter, I speak the words as an actor would, just as if I was the author speaking. This aids in memorization. It also gives me the "mood" of the chapter, thus aiding in the understanding of the chapter. As stated above, in this way, I feel as if I am, in a sense, stepping into the mind of the author of the chapter.

For genealogies, lists, etc., I use traditional memorization techniques such as mnemonics and acronyms. Take, for example, the verse: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Rom. 8:35). To memorize this verse, I made up the nonsense word "thpfnds" (pronounced "thupfounds"). This helped me memorize the words in the list: Trouble, Hardship, Persecution, Famine, Nakedness, Danger and Sword. Silly techniques like this can be a real help!

Once you have memorized a new chapter, try to practice it as much as possible. After memorizing many chapters, retaining what you have memorized becomes a problem. One of the best aids in retention is to review newly memorized passages frequently, thus "overlearning" them. This is confirmed by scientific studies concerning memory:



The degree of learning is found to be directly associated with the amount of practice. In a metaphoric sense, specific memory may be said to grow stronger and stronger as practice proceeds. Even after a task can be performed or recited perfectly, continued practice (sometimes called overlearning) increases the "strength" of the memory. The rate of forgetting is slower when the degree of learning is greater. If there were one universal prescription for resisting forgetting, it would be to learn to a very high level initially...[Footnote #7]



Thus, for retention, it is important to overlearn a new passage. Review the passage anywhere and everywhere: while driving, while waiting in line, while waiting for the bus, while on the bus, etc. I have found that my long commute to and from work has been a great help in Scripture memorization!

Overlearning can be difficult sometimes. You may "get sick" of a passage because you practice it so much! This amount of practicing is good, though. Although you may be sick of it now, you will treasure the fact that you practiced the passage so much because, in doing so, you will have cemented the passage in your long term memory bank.

In spite of your diligence, after memorizing many chapters, you will most likely begin to forget some of them. To battle against this, for each two new chapters that I memorize, I will go back and practice (or rememorize, if necessary) four old chapters. In this way, I cycle through all of the old chapters that I have memorized, in addition to memorizing new ones. Also, as I am practicing an old passage, I will go back and reread the passage so as to make sure that I still know it word-perfectly. The memory sometimes does funny things! You may think that you know a passage perfectly, even though you are leaving out entire phrases. It is important to reread passages that you have memorized so that your memory does not play tricks on you.

So, Father, we praise You for the marvelous gift of memory that you have given us. Help us to use it for Your glory. By Your Spirit, give us the desire, time and ability to memorize Your Word. Guide us in which passages to memorize; guide us in using the memorized passages for Your glory as we teach Your Word or proclaim Your Word to others. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen."


_________________
Paul Frederick West

 2007/2/13 13:51Profile









 Re: Memorizing Entire Bible Chapters and Books

Beautiful... Simply beautiful.

I'm inspired to pursue this treasure as well, my brother.

Krispy

 2007/2/13 14:08
JaySaved
Member



Joined: 2005/7/11
Posts: 1132
Missouri

 Re:

Quote:
3. Joy in being able to recite and meditate on the book anywhere you may be and at anytime.



I am trying to memorize Philippians. I have gotten most of the first chapter memorized and I love the fact that I can just start quoting it anytime.

Praise the Lord.

 2007/2/13 14:45Profile
PaulWest
Member



Joined: 2006/6/28
Posts: 3405
Dallas, Texas

 Re: 10 Reasons to Memorize God's Word

Saints, this is a gracious addition to our thread. I found it very thought-provoking. It is certainly true and relevant in all cases; I have experienced the fruit of extensive meditation and memorization in my own life. O, that God's people would develop an appetite for emblazoning the Word in their minds! - B. Paul

1. We are commanded to: "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts" (Deut. 6:6). "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads" (Deut. 11:18).



2. Storing the Word of God in our hearts and minds helps us to obey it: "...the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it" (Deut. 30:14); "The law of God is in his heart; his feet do not slip" (Ps. 37:31); "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You" (Ps. 119:11).



3. It will make us prosperous (because of our increased obedience): "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful" (Josh. 1:8).



4. It prevents vain and evil thoughts. When memorizing scripture, one must necessarily dwell on the Word of God during one's spare time. This will crowd out less edifying thoughts. Through Scripture memorization one can easily obey Paul's exhortation: "...whatever is true, whatever noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" (Phil. 4:8).



5. It is a battle against temptation. Christ is our example on this point. In Matt. 4 and Luke 4, He resisted Satan's temptations each time by citing Scripture. Paul states that the Word of God is a weapon in spiritual warfare: "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Eph. 6:17).



6. It increases our understanding of the verses that are memorized. To memorize, one must know every single word and dwell on every single word. While doing this, one naturally asks oneself, "why this word?" Meditation on each word will, through the Spirit, give one a deep understanding of the verse and reveal meanings that are hidden to a cursory reading. "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your statutes" (Ps. 119:99).



7. It aids in witnessing and teaching. If the Word is in your heart, the Holy Spirit will bring it to mind at the appropriate time. "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom" (Col. 3:16).



8. When without a Bible, one can still meditate, counsel, comfort and reprove from the Word of God. "Even at night my heart instructs me" (Ps. 16:7).



9. It aids us in our prayers. What better way to talk to God than to be familiar with the language of God through His Word. Note Paul says: "Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" and then "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Eph. 6:17,18).



10. It improves our everyday conversation. What we say reflects what we meditate on and store in our hearts. "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34).



Now, Heavenly Father, give us the desire and the means to store Your perfect Word in our hearts; direct the time and the circumstances to accomplish this; give us diligence to be faithful in this; give us the opportunity to make fruitful use of the Word that we store in our hearts. We ask these things in the name of and for the glory of Jesus Christ, Amen.


_________________
Paul Frederick West

 2007/2/14 10:36Profile
vico
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Joined: 2005/5/25
Posts: 258


 Re: Memorizing Entire Bible Chapters

Quote:
In a sense, memorizing a book is like getting into the mind of the writer.



"All scripture is given by inspiration of God..."

memorizing and meditating on scripture gets us into the mind of God.

 2007/2/14 11:46Profile
Burn4Christ
Member



Joined: 2007/2/14
Posts: 41


 Re: Memorizing Entire Bible Chapters

I have just recently restarted trying to memorize chapters. I'm trying to work my way through the book of 1john. It's gonna take some time though. And yes, throughout the day, especially at work, I find myself thinking over the passages.


_________________
Christopher Cox

 2007/2/14 12:04Profile









 Re:

Thi is a great challenge to me as I have problems that hinder my memory. However the Lord has been growing my capacity to retain scripture and even places it on my tounge when street preaching.

I think the even greater challenge here is not in the amount of memorization but in the application of what we do have memorized, however great or small it may be :-)

 2007/2/14 12:12
PaulWest
Member



Joined: 2006/6/28
Posts: 3405
Dallas, Texas

 Re:

Quote:
I think the even greater challenge here is not in the amount of memorization but in the application of what we do have memorized, however great or small it may be



Indeed. This goes without saying, and I'm posting with the assumption that this is already understood. This thread is only for the hearers [i]and[/i] the doers!

All others need not apply.

The Lord bless you,

Brother Paul


_________________
Paul Frederick West

 2007/2/14 13:57Profile
preacherafla
Member



Joined: 2006/11/22
Posts: 96
Michigan, USA

 Re: Memorizing Entire Bible Chapters

Hi Paul,
I set a three-fold challenge to my congregation this year and one of the challenges was to memorize the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) and in addition to that try to memorize Philippians as well. I actually had 9 takers.
My family and I are doing this together as part of our family alter time. It is also a good way to make car trips seem shorter. It is great to hear my 4 year old fill in the gaps when one of her older siblings gets stuck. Memorizing as a family has been such a blessing. My 7 year old seems to have the easiest time of it.
As a church we have always encouraged those in attendance to memorize God's word and they are often given an opportunity to quote a scripture in unison if it is part of the message.
I love how God brings different passages to mind throughout the day. It is also good to hear the Spirit use memorized scripture in our self-examination. My goal is to always be as David was in Psalm 119:59 "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies."
I believe one of the reasons that so many churches have given up on encouraging others to memorize scripture is due to the great number of different versions out there.
Thanks for encouraging us to share our memorizing experiences. I personally have difficulty committing anything to memory but with God's help and grace it is coming along.
In His service,
preacheraflame


_________________
Steve

 2007/2/14 19:35Profile
PaulWest
Member



Joined: 2006/6/28
Posts: 3405
Dallas, Texas

 Re:

Quote:
It is great to hear my 4 year old fill in the gaps when one of her older siblings gets stuck



Brother, this made me smile :-)

Is there anything more beautiful in this world than a child quoting scripture from memory? I can imagine the Father stilling heaven to listen. Oh the bliss of God's love for innocent children, babes and sucklings and their perfections of praise!

Quote:
I believe one of the reasons that so many churches have given up on encouraging others to memorize scripture is due to the great number of different versions out there.



You are absolutely right. And this is yet another important reason why I stick to the KJV - to avoid any confusion. The truth is, most pastors have no conceivable way of knowing the different versions which are out there floating around in the congregation. For scripture memorization, I'll bet this can be frustrating to get everyone on the same sheet of music, so to speak.


_________________
Paul Frederick West

 2007/2/14 20:02Profile





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